I'm finally getting high speed internet, it's cable. I have an old PII I want to put linux on and use it as a firewall / router, so that I can connect my main pc and laptop. What would be the best way to do this. I have the cable modem all the NIC's and enternet cables needed. I can setup the main pc(running XP) and laptop (running 2000) as a network but I don't know how to setup the linux box and hookup the windows machines to it. Can anyone help out here? Thanks

JMD

07-17-2004

FillYourBrain

an easier and better way is to not use the linux box as a router, but to buy a router. It should come with a firewall built in.

The cable modem plugs into the uplink on the router. The two others plug into the router. You can use DHCP or not, I don't. That's the way I have it set up with four machines: Redhat, WinXP, Solaris, and Mandrake 10 laptop (laptop uses DHCP actually).

There are other ways, but routers are pretty cheap these days. If you're buying hardware anyway, might as well go that way.

07-18-2004

Draco

My D-Link 704-P router has what they call a de-militarized zone option where only one computer is directly exposed to internet traffic. You could turn the option on and set it to your linux computer. I'm sure most other mid to high end routers will have a similar feature, you could keep it in mnd if you decide to look at routers.

07-18-2004

sand_man

Draco, if you are going to use linux, then use SAMBA.http://www.samba.org/
I have never used it. All I know is that it is the best freeware to use to to serve Win32 machines from *nix machines.

07-19-2004

vasanth

dosent the Linux machine need to have atleast 2 ethernet card if he wants to do it????

07-19-2004

FillYourBrain

if he wants to use it as a gateway machine, yes. Well sorta. It must have at least two network interfaces. One for outside world and one for inside.

Otherwise the router will do that.

07-20-2004

nbo10

What is a good router to buy? The cheaper the better. Thanks

JMD

07-20-2004

ober

The best router is made by Linksys IMO. I've also heard good things about 3Com. Other than those 2, I think you're taking chances with crap.

07-20-2004

FillYourBrain

I've been ok with my D-Link. It's a home network. crap is ok :D

07-21-2004

vasanth

why not get a WiFi router.. you can use it borht with wire and wireless and the cost difference is not that high..

07-21-2004

Waldo2k2

because wireless blows unless you spend the big bucks for .11g. Even then he's got to worry about using a strong WEP, hiding his SSID, etc etc. I'd stick with 10/100 and be secure than have the extra worry of people hacking your wireless.

07-21-2004

Cii

there are specific linux distributions that are built so a linux box can act as a router. Smoothwall is one of those distributions. I saw it on techtv and is certainly one of the best distributions for a linux router. these routers are sometimes better because you can turn a cheap box, of which you have no need anymore, into a fully functional router without spending any money (as you have all the NICs and cables). this can also be a preety good learning experience. so go for it... smoothwall is preety easy to configure and has extensive documentations. it should be a fun project if you have a few hours to spare.

07-21-2004

vasanth

Quote:

Originally Posted by Waldo2k2

because wireless blows unless you spend the big bucks for .11g. Even then he's got to worry about using a strong WEP, hiding his SSID, etc etc. I'd stick with 10/100 and be secure than have the extra worry of people hacking your wireless.

Well the D-Link di-624 supports both .11b and 11.g networks and cost wise when compared to the normal router its quite comparable (but depends on the buyer)... and for a home network I dont see the problem with even using a 64bit WEP and with the new WPA no one would waste time hacking a home network.. And hiding the SSID, it's just a simple matter of turning off the broadcast feature... and it also supports wires... Why go through the hassle of running cables all around the house... but I agree it all depends on particular situations so no point in completely endorsing it or completely saying NO to it as you do...

07-22-2004

ober

Waldo... FYI, vasanth is right on this one. Linksys even has a very affordable .11g router. And security isn't as hard to setup as it once was.

07-22-2004

Waldo2k2

alright, but you still have to agree that it's still way more cost effective to go wired when you take in the cost of nics that support 11g, especially if he has several computers (but it sounded like he only had 3?). Anyway, i'll take your word for it on that router...I guess wardriving just runs rampant around my town...not that I would know...;)